Lecture: Geological & Climatic Controls on British Viticulture
Speaker:
Entry Fee
Members: Free
Visitors: £5.00
Date and Time
19:30 -
Location
Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN
Lecture Description
Wild vines have grown in Britain for over 50 million years. Only in the Ice Age of the last 2 million years have vines retreated from Britain during the glacial maxima, returning during warmer phases, such as the present one.
In marginal climatic conditions, such as those of modern Britain, great care must be taken in finding favourable vineyard sites. Soil character, landscape and micro-climate are most important. This lecture will show how geology controls these factors, providing further confirmation that humans inhabit planet Earth by courtesy of its geology. The winelands of Britain are defined by their geology.
Examples include the Pleistocene terrace gravels of the Thames and other rivers, the chalk Downs, with their sunny southern slopes and sheltered dry valleys, and the Palaeozoic rocky rivieras of Wales and the West Country.
There is an associated fieldtrip and wine tasting event on the weekend following this lecture - see field excursions.
Attending via Zoom
This is a hybrid meeting: you can attend in person or join online via Zoom.
Bath Geological Society Members: Free of charge. Joining instructions and the Zoom link are sent to members by email prior to the lecture.
Visitors & Non-Members: (including members of the Geologists' Association and affiliated societies) Please book via Eventbrite to receive Zoom access (see the Entry Fee details above).
How to join: Click the Zoom link provided in your email or Eventbrite confirmation. You can join using the Zoom desktop or mobile app, or directly via your web browser without installing any software. The virtual waiting room opens approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, and attendees will be admitted before the talk commences.
For any queries about joining online, please contact [email protected].